Need for solidarity with a large family that is approaching the realization of the dream: the healing of two of the 6 childrentranslated

In the Tribute Year of the Pastoral of the Christian Family, Basilica.ro brings a special family back into focus. Cristinel and Valentina Rusu have six children, two of whom - Ioan and Teodor - suffer from a rare neurodegenerative disease, detected in only 25 people worldwide.

While struggling to care for all their children, including the two with special needs, the parents sought a treatment for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 4J (CMT4J), which Ioan and Teodor suffer from. Their body does not produce a protein essential for the functioning of the nervous system, which over time leads to paralysis and loss of sensory capabilities.

After learning that a cure was possible, the parents launched a fundraising campaign with an ambitious goal: to collect 2 million euros for gene therapy that could repair the children's DNA with a simple injection.

Children's Christmas gift: hope Cristian and Valentina Rusu participated together with Ioan and Teodor at the Christmas charity concert of theological students on December 12, 2025. Photo credit: Basilica.ro / Raluca Ene “Dear Santa, please bring us the cure for…